Another day, another PSA.

Here it is, another PSA. While creative types hope it means Possible Sudden Acclaim, it actually stands for Public Service Announcement. These are the types of commercials agencies love to do "pro bono" because it wins awards and makes everyone feel good about themselves. But are they effective?

This PSA looks much like others, you know, for drug abuse or smoking or compulsive gambling or hang nails or any of society's many ills. Low-budget yet interesting camera work helps, but the color has been desaturated because...well, you know, it's a PSA and it's supposed to look gloomy. If that doesn't get to you, the weepy, weepy music will. It takes more than 20 seconds to finally see the little cake decoration homeless man and the appeal (which is actually quite good) to help with "food, clothing and a future."

McKinney in Durham created these spots. Maybe they did it as part of their commitment to the community, but I suspect what they're really after is a little award-winning recognition for themselves.

Nothing wrong with that, of course. But they had an opportunity to break the mold and failed.

Sometimes you have to ask yourself: WW CPB D?

Summer fantasy.

Man, it's hot out!

Thought you might enjoy something to cool you off...

TWC. Great products. Crappy commercials.

FULL DISCLOSURE: Several years ago, our agency did the TV, radio, print and direct mail advertising for the local Time Warner Cable division in Raleigh...

OK, I hate the national Time Warner Cable TV commercials. They're always so lame. Have been for years and years. Never funny. Poor production values (shouldn't a cable company's TV spots at least LOOK good?). DirecTV spanks them every time.

These newest ones with Mike O'Malley are as ugly as they are unfunny. Take a look. Borrrrring (even with a puppy)!

Too bad. Because really, Time Warner Cable offers good products. Their digital channels come in crisp and clear, their HD channels even better. You seldom lose picture in a rainstorm like satellite TV. Their DVR is simple to use and reasonably priced. And Road Runner is a consistent and reliable internet source.

Sure, they're a monopoly, raise prices consistently, and have so-so customer service (if you can get through). But what they sell is a good product and they deserve better advertising then they get.

There! I said it!

Bing tries to change the way we Google.

Microsoft has poured a lot of money into advertising and marketing to try and convince us to use their new search engine Bing instead of Google. Good luck with that.

And while their TV ads and messaging have been all over the board, here are a couple that at least offered good entertainment/production value.

If you want to see more Bing commercials (there are many, many to choose from), you might want to Google it...

Disgustingly funny.

The point of advertising is to get people to remember your product. Even if it's a product consumers don't normally--how should I say this?--give a rat's ass about.

They'll remember this.

(click on the ad to see it in all it's glory)

New ads for USAA look awfully familiar...

The Economist has been running short, bold, brilliant statements for years. Smart ads that capture the capitalist spirit of the magazine.

Looks like someone has a case of Economist envy.

A classic case of "too clever by half."

Buh-Bye!

No Hummer? What a bummer.

Good to see ya, wouldn't want to be ya!

Don't let the screen door hit you where the good Lord split you...

(insert your own pithy line here...)